The Greenhouse Transformer is a typology for urban farming with the purpose of creating environments for learning year round within the community of West Harlem. The main goal is to integrate life cycle components of food production into a building that is also a catalyst for activity in the area and allows visitors to engage in the program in a more efficient way.
To achieve this goal, we introduced a transforming system that can provide various environments as nature. One of the things that restricts farming in a city the most is climate condition. Unlike in a farm land where developed irrigation systems are, urban farming should stricktly depend on natural climate conditions. Together with mechanical means, the system allows different types of climate so that climate conditions for urban farming can be more controlled.

Fall (Image: PRAUD)Winter (Image: PRAUD)Spring (Image: PRAUD)

Food Production:
The building allows for year round farming through hydroponics, greenhouse transformation, and exterior farming.

Education:
The building provides spaces for teaching and learning about urban farming in a direct matter, where people interested can see the process first hand.

Processing and distribution:
Goods grown in the farms can be collected and sold to raise funds for the Learning program.

Consumption:
During summer months, the open deck plaza allows for farmer’s markets, where the products can be sold, and used by local food vendors.

Entertainment:
The building itself provides new settings that demonstrate different environments and settings for social mixing, and creates new recreational activities for the community.

The Greenhouse Transformer is a typology for urban farming with the purpose of creating environments for learning year round within the community of West Harlem. The main goal is to integrate life cycle components of food production into a building that is also a catalyst for activity in the area and allows visitors to engage in the program in a more efficient way.
To achieve this goal, we introduced a transforming system that can provide various environments as nature. One of the things that restricts farming in a city the most is climate condition. Unlike in a farm land where developed irrigation systems are, urban farming should stricktly depend on natural climate conditions. Together with mechanical means, the system allows different types of climate so that climate conditions for urban farming can be more controlled.

Fall (Image: PRAUD)Winter (Image: PRAUD)Spring (Image: PRAUD)

Food Production:
The building allows for year round farming through hydroponics, greenhouse transformation, and exterior farming.

Education:
The building provides spaces for teaching and learning about urban farming in a direct matter, where people interested can see the process first hand.

Processing and distribution:
Goods grown in the farms can be collected and sold to raise funds for the Learning program.

Consumption:
During summer months, the open deck plaza allows for farmer’s markets, where the products can be sold, and used by local food vendors.

Entertainment:
The building itself provides new settings that demonstrate different environments and settings for social mixing, and creates new recreational activities for the community.